I’ve always believed life is a gift meant to be shared. The highs, the lows, the laughter, and even those rare moments of enlightenment you stumble upon—what’s the point of all this joy if not to pass it on? But recently, I’ve started to wonder: Is sharing truly a gift, or does it sometimes become a burden for others?
Let me take you back to an evening that left me questioning everything.
The Dinner Table Revelation
It was a casual family dinner, and as usual, I was excited to share something new I’d learned—my idea of life and the little joys I had discovered in the mundane. I started talking about how gratitude and small acts of kindness make life so fulfilling. My words flowed naturally, hoping they’d resonate with someone.
But then, my cousin interrupted, smirking, “That’s easy for you to say. Not everyone has time to sit and find joy in the small stuff.”
Everyone laughed. I smiled, but internally, something cracked. Was I sharing joy, or was I unknowingly imposing an expectation?
Later that evening, I watched them engage deeply with meaningless gossip about someone else’s life. They didn’t mind investing energy there, but when it came to deeper connections or ideas that could make their lives better, it seemed too much for them to handle.
I realized, at that moment, human beings often chase fleeting distractions, ignoring what truly matters—until it’s gone.
Bhagavad Gita’s Wisdom
Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita resonated deeply that night. He said, “A person is not elevated by the praise of others, nor degraded by their blame.” I had attached my happiness to how my thoughts were received. Wasn’t that my mistake?
The Gita teaches us to perform actions selflessly, detached from outcomes. So, perhaps my role is to share joy without expecting it to be understood, let alone reciprocated.
Humor in Realizations
But let’s not get too grim. There’s always humor in our shared human folly.
Remember that meme: “People don’t value water until the well runs dry”? That’s us. We ignore the people who truly care and instead chase after those who don’t. It’s like going to a buffet, filling your plate with junk, and leaving the healthy stuff behind—only to regret it when the heartburn kicks in.
Why It Hurts
Let’s face it: It hurts to care deeply in a world that’s obsessed with superficiality. It’s like holding a mirror to the world and asking them to see their true selves, but all they see is the smudge on the glass.
Yet, isn’t that what makes us human? The constant struggle between wanting to be understood and learning to stand alone?
The Shift
So here’s what I’ve decided: Instead of sharing my joy as a platter for others to feast on, I’ll keep it like a secret garden—open only to those who truly care to enter. My ideas will find a home in my diaries, my dream billboards, or even this blog.
But here’s the question for you:
Are you truly valuing the people who care about you, or are you running after those who don’t? Are you able to sit with someone’s raw, unfiltered truths, or are you too busy chasing shiny distractions?
As the Bhagavad Gita reminds us, “What belongs to you today, belonged to someone yesterday, and will belong to someone else tomorrow.” So cherish what’s real, now. Before it’s too late.
Let this be a reminder, both for you and for me, that joy shared isn’t lost, even if it feels unacknowledged. But it’s okay to nurture some of it quietly—for yourself, your peace, and your journey.
Untangled Mind 